Southern-Inspired Brunch Restaurant Brûlée Opens in South Loop
A new Southern-inspired brunch restaurant named Brûlée has opened in Chicago's South Loop. The establishment aims to provide an upscale brunch experience for the neighborhood. Its menu features a refined take on classic Southern breakfast and lunch dishes.
- Brûlée is a mother-daughter owned establishment; the culinary vision is led by Chef Emani Roberts, while her mother, Shronda Dunn, serves as the co-owner and general manager. - Chef Emani Roberts was previously a private chef for celebrities, including the R&B group New Edition, and her reputation for lavish brunch spreads led to the opening of the restaurant. - The restaurant's South Loop location at 2036 S. Michigan Ave. was chosen to cater to residents and the large crowds from nearby McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena, and Soldier Field. - The menu has a distinct soul food influence, which Chef Roberts developed during the nearly ten years she spent in Atlanta working with her mentor, chef Virgil Harper. - Signature dishes include a salted-caramel and sweet potato Belgian waffle with Cajun-fried lobster tails and a smoked brisket grilled cheese served with tomato bisque. - The restaurant is open six days a week, including Mondays and Tuesdays, which are days restaurants are traditionally closed, to serve the convention center traffic. - Brûlée features a coffee lounge serving Dark Matter coffee, intended to function as a neighborhood third space for local residents. - Seating is limited to 60 minutes for reservations and 45 minutes at the bar, with the kitchen closing at 3:00 PM.
